Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that the National Economic Council, NEC, will adopt measures to speed up the decentralisation of the national electricity grid, with a view to putting an end to its incessant collapse that has plunged some states in the northern part of the country into total darkness.
Shettima listed some of the measures for the decentralisation of the national grid to include the establishment of mini-grids, solar and renewable energy sources like solar photovoltaic and wind turbines.
Speaking at the 145th NEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Senator Shettima, who is the Chairman of NEC, said the burden of accountability has compelled the government to not look away from the issues.
He stressed the urgent need for the implementation of the Nigeria Energy Sector Implementation Plan, NESIP, emphasising that the energy sector must embrace the potential of renewable energy, as well as leverage solar and mini-grid solutions designed to meet regional electricity demands.
The Vice President said: “A robust economy is the backbone of every nation. The recent blackouts caused by the actions of vandals remind us of our urgent need to expand our energy infrastructure. I believe the governors here would agree that the decentralization of electricity is our path forward.
“We will continue to promote the constitutional framework that empowers constituent states within the Nigerian federation to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid. Together, we can make instability a relic of the past.
“Furthermore, our energy sector must embrace the potential of renewable energy. We must leverage solar and mini-grid solutions tailored to regional needs. I urge the Council to support the implementation of the Nigeria Energy Sector Implementation Plan, NESIP.
“If we capitalise on our diverse regional energy resources—from northern Nigeria’s solar potential to the south’s gas reserves—we can build a resilient, decentralised energy system that drives growth and empowers our communities.”
